The success of your online presentation is truly based on your dedication and investment. Whether you are a seasoned public speaker—online or to a live audience—or this is your first online speaking engagement, please read over these best practices for what to know before, during, and after your online presentation to make it a success.

Setup and Planning

The initial steps required to setup to present an online program are often the most important. The more time you allow for preparation, the more successful your presentation will be.

Technology Requirements

Use the following recommended equipment and network connections.

Internet enabled computer (PC/Mac – Laptop or Desktop)

Hard-wired Ethernet internet connection

Back-up telephone (office phone or cell phone)

Webcam (can use laptop webcam—must test BEFORE your presentation)

Wired USB headset for best quality, if possible

Speaking Environment

Set up your required technology equipment in a quiet/secluded area.

Make sure this area has hard-wired phone and internet connection capability.

Mare sure this area has a door you can close to eliminate outside distractions or interruptions.

Have enough space around you to have printed materials, a place to write down notes, etc.

Eliminate distractions and prevent interruptions.

Turn your cell phone on vibrate or silent.

Notify the people around you that you will be recording a presentation.

Place a do not disturb sign on your door.

Stop all incoming calls to the main phone you will be utilizing (i.e., Do Not Disturb button).

Turn off all email, instant messaging, and social network notifications.

Have a glass or bottle of water nearby.

Presenting on Camera or Webcam

Have a solid colored background behind you that is not distracting; black or navy blue is usually the best.

Close all other windows being used to eliminate the possibility of participants seeing information you won't want them to see.

Test the websites/documents you will be sharing to make sure they are working.

Developing Your Presentation

Content

Make sure your presentation is geared toward your audience.

Make sure the information you present fits within the time frame allotted.

Polls should be created well in advance of your presentation.

PowerPoint Slides

When creating the PowerPoint file, set font sizes, colors and styles using the slide master. Using this method ensures consistency and saves time when adding slides and making global changes to your presentation later.

The background and font colors should be contrasting colors for ease of readability; an ideal color combination is a white background with dark blue or black font.

Slides should include text talking points as well as some graphic images if possible, while trying to maintain a balance between white space and text.

All text should use standard fonts without serifs (such as Arial) for readability, with font sizes no smaller than 16.

Practice/Rehearse

If you will be the only one speaking, practice your presentation.

Time yourself, then decide if you need to add or remove any content to meet the allotted time you have available.

If you are presenting with others, practice together; rehearse who is speaking and when.

Familiarize yourself with the webinar technology; you can schedule a training session to learn the technology by contacting abstracts@sigmanursing.org.

Presentation Information

Your pre-recorded presentation will be scheduled and available for viewing the day of the presentation. Pre-recorded presentations will also be made available on-demand before the event. Authors who have requested a live Q&A session will have a 15-minute session scheduled immediately following the pre-recorded presentation.

It is recommended that authors are available through the entire pre-recorded presentation as well as the Q&A session to allow the opportunity to see and comment on any communications in the chat function available in the platform.

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